Ryanair Rejects Valencia Government’s Claim

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Ryanair News
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News Release
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25.07.08
Ryanair Rejects Valencia Government’s Claim

Ryanair, Europe’s leading low fares airline, today (25 July), rejected the claim by the Generalitat of Valencia that it had never sought assistance or marketing support for its newly established bases at Valencia and Alicante airports. Ryanair corresponded with and met officials from the Valencia tourist organisation on three separate occasions and sought assistance for its new bases at Valencia and Alicante airports in which Ryanair had invested €280 million.

During this time the Valencia government provided massive assistance to a local regional carrier, Air Nostrum, which has delivered no growth and little or no international connections to the region.

Commenting on the Generalitat’s statement, Michael Cawley, Deputy Chief Executive of Ryanair, said:

“The Generalitat needs to check with its tourism organisation before it makes erroneous statements. Ryanair has been in contact with the head of Valencia tourism since before we set up the bases in Valencia and Alicante but met with flat refusals on every occasion.

“As recently as April, I personally met the Head of Valencia Tourism Authority and in June I met with the Minister of Tourism. Are the Generalitat now denying that any of these meetings took place or that Ryanair did not submit detailed proposals to the Valencia government?

“The scale of Ryanair’s investment in the Region of Valencia is unprecedented. For the Generalitat to refuse to assist our efforts is bad enough but for them to deny we asked for assistance is unforgivable”.